Colorado

Ages 5–11 · 12 minutes · Geography

Grab your skis! Let's hit the Colorado slopes!

Visit Colorado, home of world-class ski resorts, the Denver Omelette and 700-lb elk!

No prior knowledge needed.

Part of

The 50 States

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

D2.Geo.2.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.
D2.Geo.3.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Use maps of different scales to describe the locations of cultural and environmental characteristics.
D2.Civ.1.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places.
D2.Geo.10.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Explain why environmental characteristics vary among different world regions.

Alabama

SS10.2.10.3 — Recognizing benefits of recreation and tourism at state and national parks (Alabama)
SS10.5.13.2 — Locating on a map states, capitals, and important geographic features west of the Mississippi River
SS10.2.10.1 — Comparing physical features of regions throughout the United States

Alaska

1 — know that places have distinctive geographic characteristics;
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
1 — use maps and globes to locate places and regions;
7 — understand that a region is a distinct area defined by one or more cultural or physical features; and

Arizona

2.G1.1 — Use and construct maps, graphs, and other geographic representations of familiar and unfamiliar places in the world; and locate physical and human features. • Key physical features include but are not limited to seven continents, oceans, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, coasts, seas, and deserts • Key human features include but are not limited to equator, hemispheres, North and South Pole, cities, states, countries, regions, and landmarks
1.L4U3.11 — Ask questions and explain how factors can cause species to go extinct.
2.G1.2 — Use maps, globes, and other simple geographic models to identify and explain cultural and environmental characteristics of places in the world based on stories shared. Arizona History and Social Science Standards modified 8/23/19 Page 19
5.G1.1 — Use and construct maps and graphs to represent changes in the United States. • Key concepts include but are not limited to physical and human features of the United States, the regions of the United States and their characteristics, geographic location of major events, the growth of the United States through territorial expansion, demographic changes, and the states and their capitals

Arkansas

G.1.1.2 — Describe the physical and human characteristics of a place including roads, buildings, and borders using maps, globes, and photographs.
G.1.2.2 — Describe the physical and human characteristics of a place using geographic tools such as maps, globes, and charts.
G.1.K.2 — Identify and describe the physical characteristics of a place such as rivers, mountains, and forests using maps, globes, and photographs.
G.1.3.5 — Investigate the cultural characteristics of various places and regions from around the world.

California

1.2.4 — Describe how location, weather, and physical environment affect the way people live, including the effects on their food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and recreation.
2 — Students identify the human and physical characteristics of the places they are studying and explain how those features form the unique character of those places.
1.2.1 — Locate on maps and globes their local community, California, the United States, the seven continents, and the four oceans.

Colorado

SS.4.2.1 — Use geographic tools to research and answer questions about Colorado geography.
SS.4.4.2 — Describe the origins, structures, and functions of the Colorado government.
SS.P.2.1 — Develop spatial understanding, perspectives, and connections to the world

Connecticut

GEO 2.3 — Use geographic representations to identify cultural and environmental characteristics of place.
GEO 2.6 — Identify cultural and environmental characteristics of a place/region.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
GEO 2.2 — Use geographic representations to describe places and interactions that shape them.
3-ESS2-2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.

Delaware

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
G.1.K-3a — Students will understand the nature and uses of maps, globes, and other geo-graphics. Grade K and Grade 3
G.2.K-3a — Students will distinguish different types of climate and landforms and explain why they occur. Grade 2
K-3a — Students will use the concepts of place and region to explain simple patterns of connections between and among places across the country and the world. Grade 3

Florida

SS.3.G.2.4 — Describe the physical features of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
SS.3.G.2.5 — Identify natural and man-made landmarks in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
SS.5.G.1.6 — Locate and identify states, capitals, and United States Territories on a map.

Hawaii

SS.2.2.14.1 — Explain how human activities impact the environment
SS.2.3.13.4 — Describe major geographic features of places using maps, photos, and other geographic representations
SS.K.3.13.3 — Examine physical characteristics on maps and globes using positional words
SS.3.3.13.1 — Analyze how geographical features affect human life in local communities and those around the world

Idaho

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. (2-LS-2.1)
Some kinds of plants and animals that once lived on Earth are no longer found anywhere. (5- LS-2.1)
5.SS.2.1.4 — Name and locate the 50 States and their Capitals, and U.S. Territories.
3-ESS-1.2 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
5.SS.2.1.2 — Identify the regions of the United States and their resources.

Illinois

SS.5.G.2 — Investigate and explain how the cultural and environmental characteristics of places within the United States change over time.

Indiana

5.G.2 — Use maps and globes to locate states, capitals, major cities, major rivers, the Great Lakes, and mountain ranges in the United States. (E)

Iowa

SS.K.14. — Compare environmental characteristics in Iowa with other places.
Interpret Processes, Rules and Laws

Kansas

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Some kinds of plants and animals that once lived on Earth are no longer found anywhere.
Maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area.
3-ESS2-2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.

Kentucky

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2.G.GR.1 — Examine geographic features of places in North America, using a variety of geographic data, including maps, photos and other geographic tools.
3-ESS2-2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
Maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area.

Louisiana

2.21 — Describe geographic features and physical characteristics of places in the United States and the world, including mountains, hills, plains, deserts, coasts, islands, peninsulas, lakes, oceans, and rivers.
2.7 — Identify and describe national historical figures, celebrations, symbols, and places. a. Identify and describe the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, John Adams, John Hancock, and James Madison. b. Identify and describe historical female figures, including Abigail Adams, Anne Hutchinson, Dolley Madison, Betsy Ross, and Phillis Wheatley. c. Describe the significance of state and nationally designated holidays, including New Year’s Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inauguration Day, Washington’s Birthday, Mardi Gras, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. d. Describe the history of American symbols, including the Liberty Bell, United States flag (etiquette, customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag), bald eagle, national anthem, Uncle Sam, Statue of Liberty, The Pledge of Allegiance, and the national motto “In God We Trust.” e. Identify and describe man-made American monuments and landmarks including the Gateway Arch, the Golden Gate Bridge, Jefferson Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C, Lincoln Memorial, Mount Rushmore, Pearl Harbor Museum, September 11 Memorial and Museum, Statue of Liberty, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, and the White House. f. Identify and describe natural American landmarks, including the Grand Canyon, Mississippi River, Monument Valley, Niagara Falls, Rocky Mountains, Smoky Mountains, and Yellowstone National Park.
3.20 — Describe the geographic features of places in the United States.

Maine

3-ESS2-2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Maryland

applying cardinal directions on maps, globes, GPS, and Google Earth.

Massachusetts

4.T4e.1 — On a political map of the United States, locate the states in the West and the U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean; add to the timeline the admission dates for states in the Southwest (states listed alphabetically, Alaska-1959, California-1850, Colorado-1876, Hawaii-1959, Idaho-1890, Montana-1889, Nevada-1864, Oregon-1859, Utah-1896, Washington-1889, Wyoming-1890); territories: American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Wake Island.
4.T1.1 — On a physical map of North America, use cardinal directions, map scales, key/legend (symbols for mountains, rivers, deserts, lakes, cities), and title to locate and identify important physical features (e.g., Mississippi and Rio Grande Rivers, Great Lakes, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Gulf of Mexico, Hudson’s Bay, Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains, Sierra Madre, the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts, the Yucatan Peninsula, the Caribbean Sea).
4.T4e.5 — Using resources such as print and online atlases, or state websites, construct a map of a state in the West region that provides information about physical features (e.g., waterways and mountains), important landmarks, national parks, and historic sites and that includes a title, scale, compass, and map key.

Michigan

4–G1.0.3 — Use geographic tools and technologies, stories, songs, and pictures to answer geographic questions about the United States.
4–G2.0.1 — Describe ways in which the United States can be divided into different regions.
4–G2.0.2 — Locate and describe human and physical characteristics of major U.S. regions and compare them to the Great Lakes region.
K–G1.0.1 — Recognize that maps and globes represent places.

Minnesota

4.3.2.3.1 — Locate and identify the physical and human characteristics of places in the United States, and also Canada or Mexico. For example: Physical characteristics—landforms (Rocky Mountains), ecosystems (forest), bodies of water (Mississippi River, Hudson Bay), soil, vegetation, weather and climate. Human characteristics— structures (Statue of Liberty), bridges (Golden Gate Bridge), canals (Erie Canal), cities, political boundaries, population distribution, settlement patterns, language, ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs.
4.3.2.4.1 — Name and locate states and territories, major cities and state capitals in the United States.
2.3.1.1.3 — Use maps, photos or other geographic tools to identify and locate major landmarks or major physical features of the United States. For example: Physical features—the Atlantic Coast, Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River, Lake Superior. Landmarks—Statue of Liberty, Angel Island, Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial.
2.3.1.1.4 — Use maps, photos, or other geographic tools to answer basic questions about where people are located. For example: Where are we? What is this location like? What are the characteristics of this location? How has this place been affected by the movement of people, goods and ideas? How do people modify the environment to fit their needs? How do people organize locations into regions? How is this place similar to or different from other places?

Mississippi

5.1.2 — Identify and locate the main mountain ranges, rivers, and other key bodies of water.
5.10.2 — Identify and label each of the 50 states on a map.
3.CI.2.3 — Recognize locations where government is practiced at the national, state, and local levels.

Missouri

4.EG.5.B.a — Name and locate specific regions, states, capitals, river systems and mountain ranges in the United States based on historical or current topics.
4.EG.5.F.a — Identify different regions in the United States and analyze how their characteristics affect people who live there.
5.EG.5.B.a — Name and locate specific regions, states, capitals, river systems and mountain ranges in the United States based on historical or current topics.
Climate describes a range of an area's typical weather conditions and the extent to which those conditions vary over years.

Montana

SS.G.2.1 — use the basic components of a map to identify physical and political features, including American Indian reservations; and
SS.G.5.1 — identify and label US regions, territories, states and their capitals/major cities;
SS.CG.2.1 — explain the roles of people who help govern different communities including tribal communities; and

Nebraska

SS 1.3.2 — Explore places and regions.
SS 2.3.5 — Use geographic skills to make connections to students’ lives.
SS 3.3.1.d — Locate specific places on maps and globes.

Nevada

Climate describes a range of an area's typical weather conditions and the extent to which those conditions vary over years.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area.

New Hampshire

SS.GE.2.1.3 — Identify major physical and human features in the United States and on Earth, e.g., cities, oceans, or continents. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment, G: Science, Technology, and Society)
SS.GE.2.2.1 — Explore the physical and human characteristics of place, e.g., roads, schools or mountains. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment, E: Cultural Development, Interaction, and Change, G: Science, Technology, and Society)
SS.GE.2.2.2 — Recognize that areas of the Earth's surface share unifying geographic characteristics, e.g., towns, deserts or woodlands. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment)
SS.GE.6.5.3 — Appreciate how characteristics of different physical environments provide opportunities human activities or place constraints on human activities, e.g., winter sports tourism or annual flood patterns. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment)

New Jersey

6.1.2.Geo.HE.3 — Identify cultural and environmental characteristics of different regions in New Jersey and the United States.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
3-ESS2-2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
6.1.2.Geo.SV.1 — Use maps to identify physical features (e.g., continents, oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains).
6.1.5.GeoPP.1 — Compare and contrast characteristics of regions in the United States based on culture, economics, and physical characteristics to understand the concept of regionalism.

New Mexico

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
1.18 — Use a variety of maps to locate specific places and identify major landforms, bodies of water, and other places of significance around the United States.
2.23 — Generate a description for their region of the United States by identifying unique features.
5.27 — Using a map, identify and locate the 50 states in the United States and know the capitals of each state along with the surrounding U.S. territories.

New York

3 — Geography
E.3.1 — Geography can be divided into six essential elements which can be used to analyze important historic, geographic, economic, and environmental questions and issues. These six elements include: the world in spatial terms, places and regions, physical settings (including natural resources), human systems, environment and society, and the use of geography. (Adapted from The National Geography Standards, 1994: Geography for Life)
3.1 — Geographic regions have unifying characteristics and can be studied using a variety of tools.

North Carolina

K.G.1.1 — Use maps, globes, and/or digital representations to locate places in the classroom, school, community, and around the world.
1.G.1 — Apply geographic representations, tools, and terms to describe surroundings.
K.G.1.3 — Identify locations in the classroom, community, and around the world with positional words.
1.G.1.1 — Use maps, globes, and/or digital representations to identify various types of landforms of places around the world.

Ohio

1.5 — Places are distinctive because of their physical characteristics (land forms and bodies of water) and human characteristics (structures built by people).

Oklahoma

4.2.2 — Identify major physical features in the United States and analyze how physical processes shape places. A. Identify and describe the physical characteristics of places, including the major landforms, bodies of water, vegetation and climates in the United States. B. Describe the location and characteristics of the major ecosystems in the United States.
4.2.3 — Explain how people create regions using common geographic characteristics. A. Identify and describe the major physical, cultural, and economic regions of the United States, comparing one’s own region to the other regions. B. Explain how and why regions change over time by comparing regions in the past with life in the same regions in the present.
4.2.5 — Identify and locate on a political map the fifty states and the United States capitol.
4.2.4 — Describe how physical processes of the Earth’s surface impact humans and their environment. A. Identify and describe the different climates in the United States using maps, globes, and graphs. B. Explain how climate and natural processes including floods, wind, and storms impact how we live.

Oregon

3.ESS2.2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world. [Clarification Statement: Examples of different regions could include equatorial, polar, coastal, and midcontinental.][assessment boundary: assessment does not include complex interactions that cause weather patterns and climate or identify the role of the water cycle in weather.]
5.9 — Use geographical tools (maps, satellite images, photographs, Google Earth, and other representations) to investigate and compare how areas in the United States can be divided in multiple ways.
K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. [Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food but plants do not; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and, that all living things need water.][assessment boundary: assessment is limited to patterns of light, food, or water as sources of matter and energy needed for growth. the process of photosynthesis is beyond the standard at this grade level.]

Pennsylvania

7.1.3.B — Identify and locate places and regions.
7.2.3.A — Identify the physical characteristics of places and regions.
7.3.3.E — Identify the human characteristics of places and regions by their political activities.
3.3.3.B — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.

Rhode Island

SS3.6.2 — States and territories in the West Explain the states and territories that make up the Western region including their admittance or incorporation to the United States and their identities
SS3.6.1 — Geography and environment of the West Explain the geography and environment of the Western region of the United States
SS3.6.4 — The Western region today Argue how the geography and environment of the Western region contributed to its social, cultural, and economic development
SS3.1.3 — States and territories Explain what states and territories are and their locations within the United States

South Carolina

3.1.3.PR — Identify the spatial hierarchy of political and physical geographic features. This indicator prompts students to inquire about spatial hierarchies (i.e. scale) to understand connections between Earth's systems. Political features include cities, states, and countries. Physical features include forests, mountains, oceans, and rivers.
3.2.2.ER — Identify and analyze the ways people interact with the physical environment in different regions of the state, the country, and the world.This indicator prompts students to inquire about a variety of geographic landforms, water bodies, and climate patterns around the world and how humans interact with them, including population distribution and settlement patterns.
2.G.2 — Describe and compare various landforms over time within the U.S. through the use of primary and secondary sources. This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into using historic images, maps, narratives, texts, or video, to investigate and compare different landforms around the U.S.
K.G.2 — Utilize sources of geographic information (e.g., digital sources, maps, or photographs/images) to define and identify cultural and/or natural features.This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into natural features, such as mountains, oceans, and rivers and cultural features, such as buildings, restaurants, roads, and stores.

South Dakota

3-ESS2-2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
3.G.1.2 — Locate the seven continents, four oceans, and major physical features and regions of the United States on a map or globe
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K.SL.4 — Describe familiar people, places, things, and events. With prompting and support, provide additional detail.

Tennessee

3.09 — Identify and locate the fifty states of the U.S.
2.18 — Analyze how the location of regions affects the way people live, including their: food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and recreation.
3.11 — Identify major physical features of the U.S., including: • Rivers—Colorado, Mississippi, Ohio, Rio Grande • Mountains—Alaska Range, Appalachian, Rockies • Bodies of Water—Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico • Desert— Great Basin • Landforms—Grand Canyon, Great Plains
2.17 — Compare and contrast regions of the U.S. (i.e., Southeast, Northeast, Great Plains, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Northwest) in terms of climate, physical features, and population.

Texas

1.5A — identify and describe the physical characteristics of place such as landforms, bodies of water, Earth's resources, and weather; and
1.4B — locate and explore the community, Texas, and the United States on maps and globes.
1.5B — identify and describe how geographic location influences the human characteristics of place such as shelter, clothing, food, and activities.
2.4B — locate places, including the local community, Texas, the United States, the state capital, the U.S. capital, and the bordering countries of Canada and Mexico on maps and globes.
5.6B — describe regions in the United States based on physical characteristics such as landform, climate, and vegetation;

Utah

2.3 — Standard 3: Students will use geographic tools and skills to locate and describe places on earth.

Vermont

D2.Geo.3.K-2 — Individually and with others, students… Use maps, globes, and other simple geographic models to identify cultural and environmental characteristics of places.
D2.Geo.6.K-2 — Individually and with others, students… Identify some cultural and environmental characteristics of specific places.
D2.Geo.2.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.
D2.Civ.1.3-5 — Individually and with others, students… Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places.

Virginia

2.11.b — The student will apply history and social science skills to develop geographic mapping skills using world maps and globes by identifying major rivers, mountain ranges, lakes, and other physical features in the United States.
2.12.c — The student will apply history and social science skills to connect geography to landmarks and historic events including, but not limited to Yellowstone National Park.
USI.1.c — The student will apply history and social science skills to understand the geography of North America by locating the 50 states.
Skill.2.b — The student will apply history and social science skills to the content by applying geographic skills to identify and understand geographic features and connections.

Washington

G1.3.2 — Investigate the physical, political, and cultural characteristics of places, regions, and people in North America, including the location of the fifty states within the regions of the United States.
G2.2.1 — Identify some common and unique cultural and environmental characteristics of specific places.
G1.2.3 — Use maps, graphs, photographs and other representations to describe places and the relationships and interactions that shape them.
G1.3.1 — Examine and use maps and globes to understand the regions of North America in the past and present.
G2.3.2 — Examine the cultural universals of place, time, family life, economics, communication, arts, recreation, food, clothing, shelter, transportation, government, and education.

Washington, D.C.

1.19 — Locate and explain physical features on maps.
1.23 — Describe how location, weather and physical environment affect the way people live, including the effects on their food, clothing, shelter, transportation and recreation.
3-ESS2-2 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

West Virginia

SS.3.13 — Distinguish between a continent, country, state and capital.
SS.3.19 — Compare and contrast regions of the United States in regard to plant and animal life, landforms, climate and human interactions with the environment.
SS.5.17 — Compare and contrast the various regions of the United States; locate each of the fifty United States and correlate them with their regions.
S.3.14 — Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
SS.4.8 — Describe and locate examples of the major physical features ofthe United States (e.g., bodies of water, mountains, rivers, grasslands, oases, etc.) using references and technology (e.g., atlas, globe, geographic information system, etc.).

Wisconsin

SS.Geog1.b.1-2 — Identify physical and human characteristics of a place using maps, graphs, photographs, and other representations.
SS.Geog4.a.4 — Describe how certain places may have meanings that distinguish them from other places (e.g., cemetery, places of worship, state or national parks, historical park, or battlefield). Compare and contrast the human characteristics of rural, suburban, urban, and tribal locations in Wisconsin and the United States. Identify and describe how people may view places in the community differently (e.g., students and senior citizens responding to a new playground).

Wyoming

SS2.5.1 — Spatial Use a map, globe, and mental mapping to identify familiar areas and simple patterns and create maps using various media. 2-ESS2-2
SS2.5.2 — Physical Place and Region Identify, describe, and use local physical and human characteristics to discuss the similarities and differences between parts of the community (e.g., neighborhoods, schools, towns, and reservation communities). RL.1.2, RL.2.3 RI.1.3, Rl.2.2, RI.2.10 W.K.2, W.K.7 W.1.1, W.1.7 W.2.1, W.2.7 SL.K.4, SL.1.4, SL.2.2